Always had the hip boots for small streams and creeks, chest waders for the main stream. Howsomever, getting to a certain age where I discovered the loss of stamina against the river's current, I've resigned myself to shallow water wading, hence the chest high waders are out, and hip boots are in since knee high water is the main stay. Also, I like the heavy hip boots with some insulation factor - my skinny sparrow legs get cold real fast. (Damn this getting old)